Straight bar knitting machine and a method for operating same



Aug. 10, 1954 Filed Nov. 19, 1948 FlGJ.

F. LAMBACH STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE AND A METHOD FOR OPERATING SAMEI 12 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Aug. 10, 1954 F. LAMBACH 8 STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE AND A METHODFOR OPERATING SAME Filed Nov. 19, 1948 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIC5.2.

INVENTOR. fn'il. Mfjnu ATTORNEY.

g- 1954 F. LAMBACH STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE AND A METHOD FOROPERATING SAME 12 Sheet&-Sheet 5 Filed NOV. 19. 1948 ATTORNEY.

s- 0, 1954 .LAMBACH 2,685,788

F STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACH AND A METHOD FOR OPERATING E Filed Nov. 19,1948 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 28 284 4 FIG. I4.

INVENTOR- F041! (H ATTORNEY.

Aug. 10, 1954 F. LAMBACH STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE AND A METHOD FOROPERATING SAME l2 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 19. 1948 INVENTOR. Fn-nLAMjAl/i BY 2 ATTORNEY.

Aug. 10, 1954 F. LAMBACH 2,685,783

STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE AND A METHOD FOR OPERATING SAME Filed Nov.19, 1948 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 3 v N Q N 1 o N 1 w O u N I. l 3 N Q 00 Q l.T

f F I m I N w m N .o TINVENTOR.

mu uym/ ATTORNEY.

LAMBACH KNITTING MA FOR OPERATIN CHINE AND G SAME 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 F.GHT BAR METHOD Aug. 10, 1954 STRAI Filed Nov. 19. 1948 Ill/4 ?/////4./////4 m INVENTOR. Fri-1 uvg ATTORNEY.

AW WV ILII m in PM +8 H F. LAMBACH 2,685,788 STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING CHAND A METHOD FOR OPERA c E Filed Nov. 19, 1948 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 Aug.10, 1954 lNVENTOR. ri 2'). ANZA 7 ATTORNEY.

. LAMBACH Aug. 10, 1954 F STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE AND A METHOD FOROPERATING SAME l2 Sheets-Sheet l0 Filed Nov. 19. 1948 FIG. l9.

IN VEN TOR.

FRITZ LAMBAC H ATTORNEY Aug. 10, 1954 F". LAMBACH 2,685,788

STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE AND A METHOD FOR OPERATING SAME Filed Nov.19, 1948 12 Sheets-Sheet ll a- 4 /4 O 4/9; 4Z6

/80 4 Z0 INVENTOR.

FRITZ LAMBACH ATTORNEY Aug. 10, 1954 F. LAMBACH 2,685,788

STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE AND A METHOD FOR OPERATING SAME Filed Nov.19, 1948 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 FIG. 23. m

FIG. 24.

INVENTOR.

FRITZ LAMBACH ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 10, 1954 UNITED STATES OFFICESTRAIGHT BAR- KNITTING MACHINE AND A METHGD FOR OPERATING SAME FritzLambach, Tenaily, N. J assignor to Robert Reiner, Inc., Weehawken, N. J.

33 Claims. 1

This is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 788,178relating to A Straight Bar Knitting Machine and a Method for OperatingSame filed on November 26, 1947, now Patent No. 2,584,136.

The present invention relates to knitting machines, and moreparticularly to a straight bar knitting machine or full-fashionedknitting machine.

An object of the present invention is to provide a straight bar knittingmachine, wherein the ten- 'sion applied by the take-up means to thefabric is automatically controlled in dependence on the width of thfabric knitted.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a straight barknitting machine, wherein the fabric is permanently held under tensionduring the performanc of the welt-turn and transfer of the loops of thefabric from the welt-hooks onto the needles.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a straight barknitting machine, wherein the tension applied to the fabric may bereduced to a predetermined extent shortly before the weltturn isperformed, whereupon the welt-turn may be carried out while the fabricis under such reduced tension.

With the above and other objects of the invention in view, the inventionconsists in the novel methods, construction, arrangement and combinationof various devices, elements and parts, as set forth in the claimshereof, certain embodiments of the same being described in thespecification and being illustrated in the accompanying drawings formingpart of this specification, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatical front elevational view of a straightbar knitting machine according to the invention, wherein only thoseparts are shown, which are necessary for the understanding of theinvention,

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View taken on line 22 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is an elevational view, partly in section, of an actuating deviceof the knitting machine according to the invention,

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the actuating device shown in Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 1, saidFig. 5 illustrating an automatic control for locking and releasing thetake-up device,

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 1, said Fig. 6illustrating the take-up drive associated with the take-up reel of theknitting machine,

Fig. '7 is a front elevational View of the take-up drive shown in Fig.6,

Fig. 8 is a sectional View taken on line t& of Fig. 7,

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 98 of Fig. 1, saidFig. 9 illustrating the controlling mechanism for controlling thetension to be applied to the take-up reel,

Fig. 10 is a rear elevational View along line Iii-l0 of Fig. 9,

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional View taken on line li--ll of Fig. 1,said Fig. 11 illustrating the mechanism for drawing off the fabric bythe weltbar and take-up reel,

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary top plan view of Fig. 11,

Fig. 13 is an illustration of the mechanism shown in Fig. 11 in anenlarged scale,

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken on line l t-i l of Fig. 1, said Fig.14 illustrating the elements of the drawing-off mechanisms in adifferent position,

Fig. 15 is a sectional view substantially corresponding to the sectionalview shown in Fig. 14, wherein, however, the elements of the drawingofimechanisms are shown in a different position and wherein a mechanism fora manual advancing of the knocking-over bar is shown,

Fig. 16 is a sectional View substantially corresponding to Fig. 15wherein the various elements and parts are shown in a position duringthe performance of a welt-turn,

Fig. 1'7 is a, side elevational view of the take-up reel with a portionof the fabric wound thereon,

Fig. 18 is a sectional view, similar to the sectional view shown in Fig.6, of a difierent embodiment of a take-up drive which is provided withan additional mechanism for a substantial reduction of the tensionapplied to the fabric at a predetermined interval,

Fig. 19 is a front elevational view of the takeup drive shown in Fig.18,

Fig. 20 is a sectional view of a detail of the ratchet wheel mechanismof the take-up drive shown in Figs. 18 and 19, and

Figs. 21-24 illustrate various positions of the elements of the take-updrive shown in Fig. 18.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, 30 generally indicates the frame of atwo-section straight bar knitting machine. A motor 32 mounted on abracket 3t carried by the frame 38 of the knitting machine is connectedthrough a train of gears 35 with the main cam shaft 38 rotatablyarranged in suitable bearings of the frame of the machine.

46 generally indicates a pattern chain carrying a series of buttons 22for the control of certain mechanisms of the knitting machine. Duringthe operation of the machine, the pattern chain is intermittentlyadvanced in a manner known per se by any suitable mechanism actuated bya cam keyed to the main cam shaft 38.

Each row of buttons t2 mounted on the pattern chain M9 in apredetermined manner is arranged for cooperation with a swingablespring-loaded jack is of a series of jacks. Each jack is connectedthrough wires, levers and rods with a controlling mechanism of theknitting machine. Fig. 2 illustrates only the connection of one jack id.A. wire 46 secured to said jack is is pivotally connected with the lowerend of a lever 18 secured to the left-hand end (as viewed in Fig. 2) ofa rod 503 rockably mounted in bearings 32 secured to the frame 3% of themachine. A lever 55 secured at its lower end to the right-hand end ofthe rockable rod 5% is pivotally connected at its upper end with one endof a wire 55 (see Figs. 2, 3 and i). The other end of said wire 55 ispivotally connected with one arm 58 of a controlling element orcontrolling latch so swingably mounted on a pivot 52 projecting upwardlyfrom the base 5% of a block E8 being substantially of U- shapedcross-section. Said block 5t: swingably mounted on a shaft t8 and heldin its position by set-collars lil carries an adjustable stop screw l2capable of cooperation with a shaft it of the machine. A. spring is.etched between downward extension it of said block lit and a stationarypoint til of the machine tends to urge said stop screw '52 against saidshaft l4, whereby the block 53 is held in a substantially horizontalposition.

Furthermore, a double-armed spring-loaded follower 82 carrying a roller85 is swingably mounted on the shaft 63 between the side walls $6 of theU-shaped block '55. the cam follower 82 cooperates with a cam 38 keyedto the main cam shaft 38.

During the operation of the machine, the arm 99 of the cam follower 82may freely rock within the U-shaped block t6, held in its position bythe spring 15, in accordance with the shape of the cam E38 engaged withthe roller 84- of the follower 2, as long as the controlling element tilis in the inactive position shown in full lines in Fig. 4. As soon as,however, the rod to (Fig.

2) is rocked in the direction of the arrow A owing to an actuation ofthe spring-loaded jack 4 by a button on the pattern chain it, the lever5 connected to said rod 52 is brought from the full line position shownin Fig. 4 into the dash and dot line position 55%, whereby thecontrolling ele ment as is swung in counter-clockwise direction (asviewed in Fig. l) into an active position wherein its upward extension22 is below an abutment 94 arranged on the arm at of the cam follower82. As soon as said controlling element 59 is thus brought into saidactive position, the next downward rocking of the arm as of the camfollower 32 caused by the rise on the cam tit results in a swinging ofthe block iii; against the action of the spring 76 in counter-clockwisedi rection as viewed in Fig. 3. When the cam follower 32 returns intothe position shown in Fig. 3 and, consequently, the arm til of said camfollower 82 is lifted, the block 65 follows said movement of the arm 9%in clockwise direction by th action of the spring i6 until the stopscrew 72 hits against the shaft i l. Now, when the rod 5c (Fig. 2)rocked in the direction of the arrow B owing to a disengagement of theThe roller a l of a button 42 on the advancing pattern chain from thespring-loaded jack 44 connected with the rod 5%, the lever 5 is returnedinto its full-line position shown in Fig. 4, whereby the controllingelement to is returned into its inactive position wherein its upwardextension a2 is out of the of the abutment ed on the arm Q6] of the camfollower 82, so that the latter may again freely rock without influenceon the block 56.

The downward extension is of said block 65 is pivotally connected at 556with one end of a rod 88, the other end of which is pivotally connectedat with an arm lei secured to a retatable shaft Hi l. Two pairs ofpushing elements H16 are secured to said shaft ltd for a purpose to bedescribed hereinafter. Apparently, an oscillation of the block 66 by thecam follower 32 in the manner described above causes an oscillation ofthe pushing elements m6.

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a control shaft its is rotatably mountedin suitable bearings of the frame of the machine. A series ofcontrolling cams is rigidly connected with said control shaft. Eachcontrolling cam is used for the control of a certain mechanism of themachine. The drawings illustrate only two of said controlling came, thecontrolling cam i it and H2. The con-- trcl shaft its is intermittentlyadvanced through the medium of a ratehet wheel mechanism Ht, which isactuated by a connecting rod H6 connected with a U-shaped block of anactuating drive of the type described above in connection with 3 and 4.Of course, the controlling element swingably mounted in the U-shapedblock of said actuating drive is controlled by a row of buttons mountedon the pattern chain to for cooperation with a spring-loaded jack 34. Adetailed description of the mechanism advancing intermittently saidcontrol shaft I88 may be found in my co-pending U. S. patent applicationSer. #743,938 filed April 25, 19 .7, for A Straight Bar KnittingMachine, now Patent No. 2,574,487.

The controlling cam [it (see Figs. 1 and 5) cooperates with aspring-loaded cam follower I it swingably mounted on a shaft 12o. Saidcam follower I it is pivotally connected with the lower end of aconnectin rod 522, the upper end of which is pivoted at I24 to one armof a bellcrank lever I26 swingably mounted on a stud 528 carried by theframe 3d of the machine. The other arm of said bell-crank lever 52% ispivotally connected at hit with one end of a rod i312. The other end ofsaid rod I32 being bent is in slidable engagement with a slot i3 5 of alocking latch 53$ swingably mounted on a stationary part of the machineat its. A tension spring Hill stretched between the locking latch Hitand a stationary portion of the machine frame tends to urge the hook orthe latch fist into en agement with a notch Hi2 of a collar i i-llrigidly connected with a locking shaft i l-6 rotatably mounted insuitable bearings of the frame of the machine, when the linkage M3, E22,2 5, 32 is in the position shown in full lines. As soon as, upon anadvancing of the control shaft ltd, the high portion of the controllingcam lit comes into engagement with the cam follower H8, the latter isbrought into the position lit shown in dash and dot lines, whereby thebell-crank lever 526 is brought into the dash and dot line position I25and, consequently, the locking latch E36 is swung against the action ofthe spring M0 into the releasing position I36 wherein its hook isdisengaged from the notch 142 of the collar Hi l. Such a disengagementof the locking latch I36 from the notch I 32 of the collar IM results ina release of the lockin shaft I for a purpose to be describedhereinafter. When, after several intermittent advancing movements of thecontrol shaft IIIB, the cam follower H3 comes again into engagement withthe dwell of the controlling cam lit, the linkage III}, I22, I26, I32 isreturned into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 5. If at thistime the round portion of the collar i i i should be opposite the hookof the locking latch I36, so that the latter cannot come immediatelyinto engagement with the notch I '22, the spring Iii] will urge thelocking latch I35 against the collar I it and the bent portion of therod I32 may slide in the slot I34. As soon as the notch I42 will comeopposite to the hook of the locking latch I36 owing to a rotation of thelocking shaft M5, the hook of said locking latch I 35 may automaticallysnap into said notch I52 by the action of the tension spring I46.

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the controlling cam II2 secured to thecontrol shaft I I38 cooperates with a spring-loaded earn follower M8swingably mounted on the shaft are. The upper arm of said cam followerM5 is pivotally connected with one end of a connecting rod I553, theother end of which has a bent portion slidably engaged with a slot I52(see Figs. 2 and 6-8) of a releasing element I swingably but axiallyimmovably arranged on a take-up shaft I56 journalled in suitablebearings of the frame of the machine. The releasing element Ice is underthe action of a spring I53 stretched between said releasing element anda stationary point of the machine, which tends to urge said releasingelement I54 into the position shown in full lines in Figs. 6 and 8.When, during the operation of the machine, the rise of the cam I I2 isbrought into engagement with the cam follower I48, the I latter causes amovement of the connecting rod I553 in the direction of the arrow C,whereby the releasing element IE4 is swung from its full line inactiveposition into its dash and dot line active position I 56 against theaction of the spring I58 for a purpose to be described hereinafter.When, during the operation of the machine, the controlling cam Ila isfurther advanced so as to cause a disengagement of its rise from the camfollower I 58, the connecting rod Il a is returned into the positionshown in Fig. 6 and the releasing element I55 will be returned into itsfull line inactive position by the action of the spring I55.

As best shown in Fig. 1, the take-up shaft I55 carries two take-up reelsI56, one for each section of the knitting machine. There is a collar I62on each side of each take-up reel I68. One end of a strap I34 (see Figs.'7, l1 and 12) is rigidly connected with each collar I52 for a purposeto be described hereinafter. Furthermore, as best shown in Figs. '7, 11and 12, each take-up reel I53 and collar IfiZ is rigidly connected withthe takeup shaft I56 by screws or the like. Moreover, as best shown inFigs. 1 and 7, a collar I65 is rigidly connected with said take-up shaftI58 by a screw or the like. A. ratchet-wheel I65 is rotatably butaxially immovably arranged on the take-up shaft I5Ii at a distance fromsaid collar Ice. The ends of a torsion spring I III wound around saidtakeup shaft I56 and interposed between said collar I68 and said ratchetwheel I53 are positively engaged with said collar its and ratchet wheelI 68. The ratchet wheel I58 may be advanced step by step in the dirction of the arrow D by a springloaded actuating pawl I?! mounted on anarm I74 of a bell-crank actuating lever I76 swingably but axiallyimmovably mounted on the take-up shaft I56. The other arm I18 of saidbell-crank actuating lever is connected with one end of an actuatingtension spring I80, the other end of which is connected with thehook-like end of a tension adjusting rod I82 movably arranged in themachine.

The arm I18 of the bell-crank actuating lever I76 carries a pin I84slidably engaged with an elongated slot I86 arranged at one end of atension restoring rod I88, the other end of which is pivoted to an arm ISt keyed to a needle bar shaft I92. Said needle bar shaft I92 isoscillated by a needle bar shaft drive (not shown) in a manner known perse during the operation of the machine, so that, consequently, the armI98 is reciprocated from the full line position into the dash and dotline position and vice versa.

The ratchet-wheel I 68 may be held in its position against the action ofthe torsion spring Ilfi by means of a spring-loaded locking pawl I9 3carried by a stud I95 secured to a lug I98 of the frame it of themachine.

Apparently, the bell-crank actuating lever IIG carrying the actuatingpawl I'I2 may be swung in the direction of the arrow D by the action ofthe tension actuating spring we when the tension restoring rod. I83 ismoved in left-hand direction (as viewed in Fig. 6) into the positionshown in dash and dot lines and when at this time the tension of saidtension actuating spring its is larger than the tension of the torsionspring I16 connected with the ratchet-wheel I68 and the set collar I 66secured to the take-up shaft I56 carrying the take-up reel I60 arrangedfor taking up fabric knitted by the machine. Depending on the degree ofthe difference in the tension between the tension actuating spring I8I3and the torsion spring Il'il, the ratchet-wheel I68 will be advanced oneor more steps corresponding to the tooth caught by the actuating pawlI12 for tensioning the torsion spring Ill! and applying tension to thetake-up reel its. When the tension restoring rod I68 is returned fromthe dash and dot line position towards the right into the full lineposition shown in Fig. 6, the bell-crank actuating lever I'Ifi will beswung in the direction of the arrow E by the cooperation of theleft-hand edge of the slot IE6 with the pin I35 mounted on the arm IIIi,whereby the tension of the tension actuating spring I86 is restored. Thenext advancing of the ratchet wheel I658 will occur only after thetension of the tension actuating spring I38 exceeds the tension of thetorsion spring III}, although the tension restoring rod I83 ispermanently reciprocated and the left-hand edge of its slot I86 isdisengaged from the pin IS l at intervals.

Apparently, the tension applied to the take-up reel I58 depends on thetension or torque of the torsion spring Ilii, which, in turn, depends onthe tension of the tension actuating spring I83. It is desirable thatthe tension applied to the take-up reel its drawing ofi a full-fashionedfabric, for example, a stocking blank, from the needles of the machineis automatically altered at predetermined intervals in dependence on theprogress of the knitting of the full-fashioned fabric. For example, if,during the knitting of a full-fashioned. stocking blank, the widththereof is reduced, the tension applied to the take-up reel should bereduced in proportion, and if the width of the stocking blank knitted issomewhat increased at a certain part of the stocking blank, the tensionapplied. to the take-up reel should be proportionally increased. Inorder to obtain this automatic adjustment of the tension applied to thetake-up reel in dependence on the width of the fabric knitted, thefollowing adjusting mechanism is arranged in the machine:

In Figs. 1, 2, 9 and 16, 209 indicates a carrier spindle rotatablyarranged in the frame of the machine. Said carrier spindle 208 may beintermittently rotated in either direction by a suitable carrier spindledrive known per se (not shown in the drawings). The carrier spindle 280has two threaded portions, one having a left-hand thread and the otherhaving a right-hand thread. Each threaded portion of the carrier spindle2% is engaged with a threaded bore of a so-called carrier spindle nut282 carrying limiting means (not shown in the drawings) for limiting thestrokes of reciprocable carrier rods 2% indicated in Fig. 2, which arereciprocated at predetermined intervals by an actuating drive 266, aportion of which is shown in Fig. 2. Each carrier rod carries a yarncarrier 208 for each section of the machine. The reciprocable yarncarrier rods with the yarn carriers mounted thereon, the actuating driveof said yarn carrier rods and the limiting means mounted on the carrierspindle nuts 202 for limiting the strokes of the reciprocable yarncarrier rods may be of any suitable construction, for example, theycould be of the construction shown in my co-pending U. S. patentapplication Ser. #743,938 filed on April 25, 1947, for A Straight BarKnitting Machine. Each carrier spindle nut 202 has a recess 2H3 (seeFigs. 2 and 9) engaged with a stationary guiding rod 2 22 carried by theframe of the machine. Therefore, when, during the operation of themachine a so-called forward-racking of the carrier spindle 260 iscarried out, the carrier spindle nuts Eli?! are moved forwardly towardseach other, and when a so-called back-racking of the carrier spindle seeis carried out, the carrier spindle nuts 2&2 are moved backwardly, awayfrom each other. As the position of the carrier spindle nuts 2512determines the length of stroke of the carrier rods, it is in a definiterelation to the width of the fabric knitted.

lhe right-hand carrier spindle nut 252 (as vi wed in Fig. 1) carries twoholding bars 2! rigidly secured thereto by screws 2H5 (see Figs. 9 and10). is rigidly connected with said holding bars 2I4 by screws or thelike. The cam surface of said car or cam H8 is in slidable engagementwith a pin 22d mounted on a cam follower 222 swingably arranged at 224on a block 226 secured to the frame 36 of the machine. Said swingablecam follower 222 is pivotally connected at its end oppesite the pivot224 to the upper end of a connecting rod 228, the lower end of which ispivoted to an arm 23s of a bell-crank lever 232 swingably mounted on ashaft 234 carried by the frame of the machine. The other arm 236 of saidbellcrank lever 232 is pivotally connected at 239 with one end of abovementioned tension adjusting rod I82, which at its other end is engagedwith the tension actuating spring I86.

When the carrier spindle nut 202 is in the position shown in full linesin Fig. 10, the stroke of the carrier rod or rods is limited in such away that the fabric knitted by the knitting implements of the machinehas a certain width; at the same time, the cam 2I8 positively coupledwith the carrier spindle nut 202 by the holding bars 2M holds the camfollower 222 in the upwardly inclined position best shown in Fig. 10.Con- A bar 2 It having an upper cam surface sequently, the bell-cranklever 232 connected with the cam follower 222 through the connecting rod228 is in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 9. When thebell-crank lever 232 is in said position shown in full lines in Fig. 9,the hook-lik end of the tension adjusting rod I82 is in the positionshown in full lines in Fig. 6, whereby the tension of the tensionactuating spring 588 is adjusted to a certain degree required forapplying a certain tension to the take-up reel I62 when the fabricknitted is of a width determined by the position of the carrier spindlenut 2132 shown in full lines in Fig. 10. Now, when during the knittingcycle, owing to intermittent forward-racking of the carrier spindle 200,the carrier spindle nut 202 is brought into the position 282' shown indash and dot lines in Fig. 10, the width of the fabric knitted isreduced. At the same time, the cam follower 222 is brought into thesubstantially horizontal position 222, which, in turn, causes a rockingof the bell-crank lever 232 into the dash and dot line position 232'shown in Fig. 9. Consequently, the tension adjusting rod 282 is movedinto the position I82 shown in dash and dot lines in Fig. 6, whereby thelength of the tension actuating spring I89 and thus the tension thereofis reduced, so that, in turn, the tension applied to the take-up reelI60 by means of the torsion spring we is reduced in proportion to thereduced width of the fabric knitted. It will be readily understood that,if, during a knitting cycle the carrier spindle nut 202 is back-rackedto a certain degree for a certain increase in the width of the fabric atan intermediate portion of its length, the cam 2 I 8 will cause alifting of the cam follower 222 to a certain degree with the result of acertain in crease in the tension of the tension actuating spring I88 bya certain displacement of the tension adjusting rod I 82.

According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 10, the upper surface of thecam 2 I3 cooperating with the pin 22!) of the cam follower 222 is ofirregular curved form. Preferably, the shape of the cam surface isselected in such a manner, that it takes care of an adjustment of thecam follower 222 and, through the latter, of the tension adjusting rodI82 as may be required by the presence of reinforcing yarn in the fabricknitted. Moreover, in a preferred embodiment, the cam 2H3 is detachablymounted on the holding bars 2% so that it may be replaced by a camhaving a different cam surface, if a different type of stocking isknitted or if a stocking is knitted of a yarn of difierent strength.

As best shown in Fig. 6, the actuating pawl I72 and the locking pawl I94are normally held in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel Hi8by the springs acting on said pawls. The locking pawl I94 prevents arotation of the ratchet wheel H58 in the direction of the arrow E underthe action of the torsion spring I75 when the locking pawl I94 isengaged with a tooth of the ratchet wheel I68. The releasing element ids(see Figs. 68) is rotatably arranged on the take-up shaft I56 forcooperation with said actuating pawl I72 and locking pawl I84. As bestshown in Fig. 8, said releasing element ifi l is substantially in theshape of a disc having an arm 2% provided with the slot I52 and a handlever 242. The disc-like portion of said releasing element its has a.recess 24 for cooperation with the actuating pawl I12 and a recess 2%for cooperation with the locking pawl 594. As long as the pawls I12 andIB S are in engagement with said recesses 2M and 2%, said pawls may alsocome into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 168 as shown inFig. 6'. As soon as, in the manner described above, at the end of aknitting cycle, the rod We is automatically moved in the direction ofthe arrow C, the releasing element we is moved in the direction of thearrow D into the dash and dot line position i 5 whereby the high roundportions of the disc-like member adjacent the recesses 2:34 and 2% comeinto engagement with the actuating pawl H2 and locking pawl 194, thuslifting same out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel Hi3,so that thetake-up reel 565 is for a winding-off of the fabric. When, atthe beginning of a knitting cycle, the rod i5ii is automaticallyreturned into the position shown in Fig. 6 and the spring 558 returnsthe releasing element lfi i into the position shown in full lines inFigs. 6 and 8, the recesses 2 3 5 and are of the releasing element it'dare again in engage-- ment with the actuating pawl H2 and locking pawl19% so that the latter may come into engagement with the teeth or" theratchet wheel 63.

If, for any reason whatsoever, the take-up drive shall be renderedineffective before the end of a knitting cycle is reached, the releasingelement w ll may be moved into the releasing position 255' by means ofthe handle 24?, the slot 552 or" the arm 24% permitting such a movementrelative to the rod i569.

A pair of stationary supporting elements MS see Figs. 2 and 12) mountedin any suitable manner on a longitudinal bar 249 attached to the frameor" the machine is arranged in each section of the machine in front ofthe series of needles 2%. Said stationary supporting elements 248 arecapable of supporting a welt bar 252 placed thereon. Each supportingelement 2 3% carries two guiding and stop pins 254 (Fig. 11) slidablyengaged with slots 2% of a sliding member 258 arranged on the outside ofthe support ing element 2 2%. A tension spring 2% stretched between eachsliding member 253 and a lug 262 of the stationary supporting element2138 tends to urge the sliding member 258 into the position shown infull lines in Figs. 11 and 13, wherein the left-hand ends of the slots256 are engaged-With the guiding and stop pins 254, thus limiting theextreme end position of the sliding member 258. Each sliding member 258has a recess 26 i capabio of engagement with a welt-bar placed on thesupporting elements M3. Furthermore, each sliding member 253 has aflange 2G5 arranged as an abutting surface for a set screw 25% mountedon the pushing element I E36 as best shown in Fig. 11. Thus, the slides25% may be advanced by the pushing elements Hi6 into an advanced orhook-up position 258 shown in dash and dot lines in Fig. 11 towards theneedles 25d against the action of the tension springs 256, when thepushing elements M56 are automatically swung. into the position Hit by amovement of the connecting rod 93 response to a controlled actuation ofthe actuating drive 558, 32, 8d, .83 described above in conneotionwithFigs. 2%. During such a movement of the sliding elements 258 into theadvanced or hook-up position 258, a

welt-bar 2E2 placed onto the supporting elements M8 and gripped betweenwalls of the recess 25d of the sliding elements 253 will be pushedtowards the needles 25d, sliding on the upper surface of the supportingelements ilt, so that it is brought into a position wherein thefabric'may behookedup onto thehooksllc of the welt bar 252. When thehooking-up of the fabric is completed, the pushing elements E65 areautomatically returned from the position 5 into the position H36, thusbecoming disengaged from the abutting flanges 265 of the slidingelements 258 so that now the tension springs Edd are free to urge thesliding elements set into the position shown in 11, whereby tension isapplied to the fabric through the Weltbar 252 caught by the sliding,elements 253 for rawing off the fabric.

As best shown in Fig. 12, the straps ltd attached at one of their endsto the collars E82 rigidly connected with the take-up shaft R36 arearranged adjacent the inside of the supporting elements 2&8. Each strapis trained around an idle roller 3T2 rotatably mounted on one of thesupporting elements 2 8 and has its other end attached to a roller Ellirigidly connected with the looking shaft I by a set-screw 216 (see Fig.11) A gripping element or hook 2 18 is secured to each flexible strapltd for a purpose to be described hereinafter. It will be readilyunderstood that a step by step advancing of the ratchet wheel I68 of thetake-up drive shown in Figsfi and 7 cannot cause a rotation of thetake-up reel H58 and the collars H62 as long as the locking shaft 8 25(Figs, 5 and 1].) locked by the automatically controlled locking latchE36; during this period, therefore, the hooks 2 it attached to thestraps I64 will remain in the position shown in Figs. 11 and 14, and thestep by step advancing of the ratchet wheel i558 (Figs. 6 and 7) willmerely cause a tensioning of the torsion spring FE} interposed be tweenthe ratchet wheel its and the set collar ltfi attached to the take-upshaft I55.

As best shown in Figs. 2 and 11-16 a bracket see is attached to theoutside of each supporting element 2% in any suitable manner. Eachbracket 28c carries a block 282 having a slot 2% (see Figs. 13-16) openat the top and at the bottom. A holding element 285 having a holding arm288 adjacent the inside of the block 282 and having an actuating arm 29%adjacent the outside of the bracket 23% is swingably mounted on saidbracket 28% at 292. The actuating arm 2% of each holding element 286 ispivotally connected with one end of a connectingrod 294, the other endof which is pivoted to an arm 2% of a releasing lever generallyindicated by 298, swingably mounted at tilt on the supporting element 2%in a recess 3B2 thereof. As best shown in 11-13, said releasil'lg lever293 is arranged inside of the sliding element 258 within said recess 3i2of the supporting clement 2&8. A tension spring 3% stretched between thearm Ztt and a stationary point of the bar 249 tends to urge thereleasing lever 293 into the position shown in full lines in Figs. 11and 13, wherein the releasing lever 2&8 abuts against the wall of therecess 362. When the releasing lever 23% is in said full line position,the upper edge of the releasing lever 2% projects somewhat from theplane of the upper surface of the supporting element 248, so that awelt-bar252 placed onto thesupporting elements 2% is in a slightlyinclined position. li urtherinore, when said releasing lever 298 is insaid full line position shown in Fig. 13, the holding arm 28% of theholding element 286 is in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 13,wherein its lower hook-shaped end projects into the plane of the slot285 of the block 232. Therefore, when a welt rod 3% is placed into theslots 284 of the blocks 282, the welt-rod will be held in thepositionshown in Fig. 13 by means of the holding arms 238 of the holdingelements 235.

As mentioned above, during the operation of the machine, at first thesliding elements 258 are pushed towards the needles 255 by means of thepushing elements I66, whereby a welt-bar 252 gripped by the slidingelements 258 is, likewise, pushed towards the needles. Shortly after thebeginning of said pushing movement, the edge of the welt-bar 252 restingon the projecting portion of the releasing lever 268 held in itsposition by the tension spring 364 will slip off said projecting portionand rest entirely on the supporting element 243. Furthermore, asmentioned above, after a disengagement of the pushing elements I66 fromthe sliding elements 256, the tension springs 266 connected with thesliding elements 256 move said sliding elements away from the needles,so that the welt-bar 252 gripped between the sliding elements 256 is,likewise, moved away from the needles for drawing-off the fabric knittedby the knitting implements of the machine. Shortly before the welt-bar252 reaches its extreme position limited by an abutment of the left-handedges of the slots 256 of the sliding elements 258 against theguidingand stop pins 254, the righthand edge 308 of the welt-bar 252(see Fig. 13) abuts against the nose 3H1 of the spring-loaded releasinglever 296 projecting into its path. During the continuation of thedrawing-oif of the fabric by the welt-bar 252, the releasing lever 296is brought by the edge 363 of the welt bar 252 into the releasingposition 258 against the action of the tension spring 364 shown in dashand dot lines in Fig. 13. This movement of the releasing lever 266 intothe releasing position 266 causes a swinging movement of the holdingelement 266 into the releasing position 235 shown in dash and dot linesin Fig. 13 through the medium of the connecting rod 26%. As soon as theholding element 286 is brought into said releasing position 266, thewelt rod 306 drops onto the fabric 3! (see Fig. 14), which is drawn offby the welt-bar 252. When said weltrod 356 drops onto said fabric 3 I 2its ends become engaged with guiding channels 3I4 arranged on the insideof each supporting element 248. Now, after above described release ofthe welt-rod 366 but still before the sliding elements 258 and thewelt-bar 252 reach the end position shown in Fig. 14, which is limitedby an abutment of the lefthand edges of the slots 256 against theguidingand stop pins mounted on the supporting elements 243, the lockingshaft I46 (see Figs. 5 and 14-) is automatically released by thecontrolled mechanism IIU, I53, I22, I26, I32 bringing the locking latchI36 into the releasing position I36, so that now the tension accumulatedin the torsion spring I70 (see Fig. 7) by the previous intermittentadvancing of the ratchet wheel I66 may become active and cause a suddenrotation of the collars I62 with the result that a portion of the strapsI64 is wound on said collars I62 and, consequently, the hooks 2'56 aresuddenly brought from the position shown in dash and dot lines in Fig.14 into engagement with the welt-rod 306 as shown in full lines in saidFig. 14. As now the locking shaft I46 remains released for apredetermined period, the take-up drive shown in Figs. 6-8 may remaineifective and may cause a drawing-off of the fabric by the hooks 218attached to the straps I64 secured to the collars I62 positively coupledwith the take-up reel I60 and takeup shaft I56. Thus, the drawing-off ofthe fabric 3I2 is automatically transferred from the weltbar 252 to thetake-up shaft I56 carrying the take-up reel I66 and set collars I62.

Shortly after the gripping of the welt-rod 366 by the hooks 218 on thestraps I64, the sliding elements 256 and the welt-bar reach the positionshown in Fig. 14, which, as mentioned above, is limited by the stop pins254 (see Fig. 13). Therefore, the welt bar 252 remains in the extremeposition shown in Fig. 14. Now, when the fabric is drawn-off by thestraps I64 connected to the take-up reel 566 and the take-up drive, theweltrod 366 is guided by the guiding channels 3I4 below and under thenow stationary welt-bar 252, so that a loop of the fabric 3I2 is formedaround the welt-rod 366 as shown in Fig. 15.

When a sufiicient length of fabric has been knitted, so that theso-called we1t-turn can be made, the machine is stopped. Thereafter, thewelt bar 252 is removed by hand from the supporting elements 248 andplaced into holding guides 3 I 6 arranged on the brackets 286 (see Figs.15 and 16). During this manual operation, the fabric 3|2 is somewhatstretched against the action of the torsion spring I'II) acting on thetake-up shaft I56 and the straps I64. The weltrod 366 remains engagedwith the hooks 273 on said straps I64. In order to transfer the loops ofthe fabric 3I2 hanging on the stems of the welt-hooks 216 onto theneedles 256, the needles are brought into a forwardly inclined position256' (see Fig. 16) by a mechanism known per se.

According to the invention, the knocking-over bits 3I3 carried by aknocking-over bar 326 secured to a knocking-over frame 322 may also beadvanced or laid out towards the Welt-hooks from the position shown inFig. 15 into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 16. This featuremay be obtained by the following mechanism:

As best shown in Fig. 15, an arm 324 keyed to a rockable verticalknocking-over shaft 326 is pivotally connected at 321 with a verticalbar 328 rigidly connected with the knocking-over frame 322. The rockablevertical knocking-over shaft 326 is oscillated in a manner known per seby a suitable actuating drive (not shown). Furthermore, an arm 33?;keyed to a horizontal knockingover shaft 332 is pivotally connected at333 with a link 334 having a hook 336. Said hook 336 is loosely engagedwith a stud or pin 338 mounted on the vertical bar 328. The hook 336 andpin 338 are held in engagement with each other by a tension spring 346stretched between the vertical bar 328 and an extension 342 having aseries of holes 344 for adjustment of the tension of the tension spring346. The horizontal knocking-over shaft 332 is oscillated by anactuating drive known per se (not shown). During the operation of themachine, when the hookand pin connection 336, 338 is in engagement asshown in Fig. 15, the vertical bar 328 imparts upand down movements tothe knocking-over bits 3I8 and the link 334 imparts forwardand backwardmovements to the knocking-over bits 35 8 in a coordinated relationshipas known per so.

A handle 346 for a manual disengagement of the hookand pin connection336, 338 during a standstill of the machine is rigidly connected withthe link 334. Furthermore, the link 334 is provided with a first recess348 adjacent the hook 336 and with a second recess 350 at a certaindistance from the first recess 348 for a purpose to be describedhereinafter.

When the machine is at a standstill and the welt-turn is to beperformed, the handle 346 is swung about the pivot 333 whereby the link334 is brought from the position shown in Fig. 15 into the positionshown in full lines in Fig. 16. This movement of the link 334 results ina disengageinent of itshook 336 from the pin 338 on the vertical bar323. The vertical bar 328 swings about the pivot 32? under the action ofthe spring 349. When the lever 34B is lifted only into the positionshown in full lines in Fig. 16, the pin 338 will snap into the recess348 of the link 334 which acts as an abutting surface limiting theadvanced position of the knocking-over bar connected to the vertical bar328, as is desirable for the welt-turn. Owing to this advancing orlaying-out of the knocking-over bar, it is possible to lay-out theneedles 250 to a substantial extent into a position permitting theperformance of a welt-turn without lifting the narrowingmachine carryingthe narrowing fingers 354 and yet to use only knocking-over bits 318 ofnormal length, as the laid-out knocking-over bits are sufiicientlyadvanced to embrace the laid-out needles. As will be readily understood,the laying-out of the knocking-over bar eliminates the use of abnormallylong knocking-over bits, which would become necessary, if the knockingover bar cannot be advanced and the needles are advanced to asubstantial extent.

When during a standstill of the machine, the lever 3 26 is lifted intothe position shown in dash and dot lines in Fig. 16, the pin 338 willsnap into the second recess 35s acting as an abutting surface forlimiting a still farther advanced position of the knocking-over bar.Such a farther advanced position of the knocking-over bar permits aneasy access to the knocking-over bits in case one or the other of themhas to be replaced and eliminates the necessity to remove the entireknocking-over bar from the machine in such a case.

shown in Fig. 15, the hoo-kand pin connection 336, 338 becomesautomatically re-engaged and the machine is ready for further operation.

When the welt-turn is completed and the machine is re-started forknitting fabric, the drawing off of the fabric 3 I 2 is performed by thehooks 21S attached to the straps Hi4. The welt rod 395 remains engagedwith the fabric M2 and is drawn onto the take-up reel, whereupon itturns with the take-up reel and the fabric is wound on the take-up reeland around the welt-rod 3% in the manner illustrated by Fig, 17.

The operation of the machine is as follows:

Prior to the start of the knitting machine, weltbars 252- are taken fromsuitable brackets (not shown) and are placed on the supporting elementsare in each section of the machine. Each welt-bar is placed betweengripping portions of the sliding elements 256 which are in the positionshown in Figs. 11 and 13. Furthermore, welt-rods 306 are taken fromsuitable brackets (not shown) and are placed in each section of themachine onto the holding arms 288 of the holding elements 285, which arein the position shown in Figs. 11 and 13 so as to hold the welt rods 3%in the position shown in Fig. 13.

The locking latch I35 (see Fig. 5) is in the locking position shown infull lines in said Fig. 5, whereby the locking shaft I45 is preventedfrom rotation in the direction of the arrow F. Consequently, the rollers2M (see Figs. 11 and 14) connected to one end of the straps I64 arelikewise prevented from rotation in the direction of the arrow F, andthe take-up shaft I56 connected to the other ends of the straps I64through the medium of the collars I62 is prevented from rotation in thedirection of the arrow D. When the knitting machine is started foroperation, the

Upon a return of the lever 346 into the position 14 locking latch I36(Fig. 5) controlled by the controlling cam H0 remains in its lockingposition.

At the beginning of a knitting cycle, a button 42 (see Fig. 2) on thepattern chain 40 renders the actuating drive 66, 82, 88 of the pushingelements Hit active, so that the latter are swung into the position I86shown in dash and dot lines in Fig. 11, whereby the sliding elements 25%with the welt-bar 25 2 are pushed into the advanced hook-up position258. As soon as, during the knitting of the first course, the fabric hasbeen hooked up to the welt-hooks 210 of the weltbar 252, the pushingelements I06 are re turned by the actuating drive 66, 62, 88 into theiroriginal position shown in full lines in Figs. 2 and 11, whereby theybecome disengaged from the sliding elements 258 now under the action ofthe tension springs 260-; immediately thereafter, the actuating drive 66, 82, 88 is rendered ineffective owing to a control by the patternchain 49 and remains ineffective during the entire knitting cycle, sothat the pushing elements lfit remain in the full line position shown inFigs. 2 and 11.

Furthermore, at the beginning of the knitting cycle, preferably duringthe knitting of the first course, the releasing element I54 of thetake-up drive (see Figs. 6 and 8) is automatically returned by thecontrolling cam H2 (see Fig. 2) from its releasing position I54 (seeFigs. 6 and 8) into the position shown in full lines in said Figs. 6 and8 whereby the spring-loaded actuating pawl H2 and locking pawl 59% areautomatically brought into engagement with teeth of the ratchet wheelI68. Thus, as soon as, at the beginning of a knitting cycle, thereleasing element IE is in the position shown in full lines in Figs. 6and 8, the ratchet wheel iii-ii is advanced step by step. This step bystep rotation of the ratchet wheel Hi8, however, does not result in arotation of the take-up shaft I 56 and take-up reel I60 in the directionof the arrow D, as, at this time, the locking shaft M6 (Fig. 11) isstill locked; the step by step rotation of the ratchet wheel 168 causesat this time only a tensioning of the torsion spring I IE (see Fig. 7)interposed between the ratchet wheel I68 and the set collar I56.Consequently, the straps I64 carrying the hooks 218 remain in theposition shown in Fig. 11.

Therefore, at the beginning of the knitting cycle, the fabric hooked upto the hooks of the welt-bar 252 is drawn off merely by said welt-bar252 under the action of the tension springs 2% acting on the slidingelements 258.

As soon as the edge 308 of the welt-bar 252 (see Fig. 13) reaches thespring-loaded releasing lever 298 near the end. of the drawing-offperiod by the welt-bar 252, the holding elements 28E holding thewelt-rods 306 are tilted about their pivots 292, so that the welt-rods305 drop from their position above the fabric onto the latter and becomeengaged with the guiding channels 3M (see Fig. 14). Thereafter, andpreferably shortly before the welt-bar 252 reaches its end positionshown in Fig. 14, the locking latch 235 (Fig. 5) is automaticallybrought into the releasing position I36" by the controlling cam HE Now,the previously tensioned torsion spring, Elli (see Fig. 7) may cause asudden rotation of the take-up shaft I56 in the direction of the arrow D(Figs. 6 and 11), so that the hooks Zlii' attached to the straps I64 aresuddenly moved from the position shown in dash and dot lines in Fig. 14into the position shown in full lines in said Fig. 14, wherein theyare-in engagement with 15 the welt-rod 366. Now, the drawing-off of thefabric is caused by the take-up drive shown in Figs, 6-8 through themedium of the straps its, hooks 213 and welt-rod 306.

After a certain period of time the machine is automatically stopped forthe performance of a welt-turn as described above in connection withFig. 16. As may be gathered from said Fig. 16, the welt-bar 252 is heldby the holding guides 3 l of the brackets 230 in such a position, thatit does not interfere with the points of the narrowing fingers 354 andthe welt-turn may be performed without lifting the narrowing machinecarrying the narrowing fingers.

After the performance of said welt-turn, the welt-bars 252 now free fromfabric, are removed from the holding guides 3I6 and placed in a bracketor the like on the machine for keeping same there during the furtherknitting operation.

When the knitting machine is restarted for the completion of theknitting cycle, the fabric M2 is drawn oh by the take-up drive applyinga tension to the straps Ifid gripping the welt-rod 396 engaged with thefabric 3i2 by means of the hooks 213. At the beginning, the weltrod tiltis guided by the guiding channels 3 I4. Later on, the welt-rod reachesthe take-up reel I69 and is turned around with the take-up reel its, sothat the fabric 3I2 is wound on the take- I up reel as indicated by Fig.17.

During the knitting of a stocking blank, the tension applied to thetake-up reel I60 by the take-up drive is automatically regulated in themanner described above by an adjustment or the tension of the actuatingspring I80 (Figs. 2, 6, 9 and 1G) in dependence on the position of thecarrier spindle nut 232 and, consequently, in de pendence on the widthof the fabric knitted.

At the end of a knitting cycle, preferably during the pressing-off ofthe fabric, the controlling cam Iii; (see Fig. 5) is advanced so thatthe cam follower I8 may come into engagement with the dwell of saidcontrolling cam II?) as shown in full lines in Fig. 5. Thus, the mecha-Furthermore, likewise, at the end of the knitting cycle and preferablysimultaneously with above described actuation of the mechanism I l8, I2.2, I26, I32 associated with the locking latch I36, the releasingelement I54 of the take-up drive (see Fig. 6) is automatically broughtinto the releasing position I54 by an actuation of the connecting rodI50 in the direction of the ar row 0 by means of the controlling cam I12. Thus, the actuating pawl I12 and looking pawl I94 are automaticallydisengaged from teeth of the ratchet wheel I68. Therefore, when themachine is stopped, the fabric may be readily wound ofi from the take-upreel use which now is free for rotation in the direction of the arrow E.

In order to wind on the fabric from the takeup reel, a handle 352 keyedto the locking shaft I46 (see Figs. 1, 12 and 13) is rotated in thedirection of the arrow G. This rotation may be carried out although themechanism I I8, I22, I26,

Thus the locking latch I36 is made ready I32 associated with the lockinglatch I36 is in the position shown in Fig. 5. Owing to the shape of thenotch Hi2 of the locking collar i i i, the locking latch E36 may snap inand out of the notch when the locking shaft I46 and locking collar Mlare rotated in the direction of the arrow G by means of the handle 352.

, When the fabric is wound off from the take-- up reel, the machine isready for a new knitting cycle as the locking latch I36 will prevent thelocking shaft its from a rotation in the direction of the arrow F, assoon as at the beginning of the new knitting cycle the nose of thelooking latch is brought into engagement with the notch M2 of thelocking collar I44 after a slight rotation of the locking shaft M6 bymeans of the handle 352 (Fig. 1) in the direction of the arrow F (Fig.5).

Figs. 18 and 19 illustrate a different embodiment of a take-up drive fora knitting machine according to the invention. According to saidembodiment the take-up drive is equipped with an additional mechanismgenerally indicated by Qilii, by means of which at a predeterminedinterval, for example shortly before the performance of the welt-turn,the tension applied to the fabric by the take-up drive may beautomatically or manually reduced from a certain value to asubstantially lower value.

According to Figs. 18-20, the ratchet wheel t I 53 of the ratchet wheelmechanism of the takeup drive is integral with a disc-like body 4&2having a recess AM (see Fig. 18) for a purpose to be describedhereinafter.

The ratchet wheel iitt rotatably arranged on the take-up shaft lbs isprevented from axial displacement by means of a set-screw 508 (see Fig.20) engaged with an annular groove 4:18 of the take-up shaft E56. Oneend of a torsion spring I!!! is connected to the ratchet-wheel M68, theother end of said torsion spring H9 is connected to a collar I53 (seeFig. 19) adjust ably set in a predetermined position on the takeup shaftI56 by means of a set-screw I engaged with an annular groove I61 of thetake-up shaft I56.

As described above in connection with Figs. 6 and 7, the ratchet-wheelH58 shown in Figs. 18-20 may be advanced step by step by means of aspring-loaded actuating pawl I12 (see Fig. i8) mounted on the arm PM ofa bell-crank actuating lever H5 swingably but axially immovably mountedon the take-up shaft I56. The other arm I78 of said bell-crank lever isconnected with one end of the actuating tension spring I88. Furthermore,the arm I'i8 of said bellcrank actuating lever I15 carries a pin I8 3slidabl engaged with the elongated slot IB'B of the tension restoringrod 588. Thus, the actuation of the ratchet-wheel M68 is performed inthe same manner as described above in connection with the ratchet-wheelI68 shown in Figs. 6 and '7.

Furthermore, the ratchet wheel M53 may be held in its position againstthe action of the torsion spring I'Iil by means of the spring-loadedlocking pawl I which is again carried by a stud M536 secured to a lug553 of the frame 39 of the machine.

Moreover, also as described above, the actuating pawl I'i2 and thelocking pawl I9 1 may be controlled by a releasing element I5 2swingably but axially immovably arranged on the take-up shaft I55. Thespring I58 stretched between said releasing element I5 i and a rod I59carried by

